REVIEW: Awakened by the CEO’s Kiss by Therese Beharrie

Although Therese Beharrie’s latest novel, Awakened by the CEO’s Kiss, is set in and around Cape Town, South Africa, it addresses many universal themes. At one time or other most of us deal with family situations, grief and love.

Brooke Jansen’s life has become incredibly busy as her company is working hard toward a big launch. By the time she gets home, she has no energy to deal with household chores. She decides to hire a housekeeper via an agency. She is taken by surprise when an attractive man shows up on the first day rather than a woman. Tyler Murphy is part of a booming business, but his first loyalty is to his single mom sister. He is willing to fill in and has experience from his upbringing. Brook is more than a little taken back at the situation, but agrees to try it on a trial basis.
Brooke is still grieving the death of her husband and doesn’t want to get attached. There is something special about Tyler in addition to his good looks though.

The author slowly builds the story between the two main characters. The reader learns details about how life has shaped them both . Overall, this is a sweet romance. Tyler’s devotion to his sister and his nephew is very admirable. I enjoyed this heartfelt tale. The only thing I would have changed is for it to have been a little bit shorter. With a few repetitive details removed, it would have been even more engaging and entertaining for me.

I’ve read other novels in the recent past by this author. The settings play a part as much as the characters. It is always fun to explore different places, that you may never visit in person, through books. I hope Ms. Beharrie will transport me to a new location in the near future.

Book Info:

Publication: July 27, 2021 | Harlequin Romance |

Friendship is all she can offer…
…but he makes her want so much more!
The incredibly attractive man on Brooke Jansen’s doorstep is definitely not the new housekeeper she’s expecting. CEO Tyler Murphy is filling in temporarily, yet within days he’s turned Brooke’s carefully curated life upside down! Suddenly she’s living—and feeling—again. But her connection with Tyler is dangerous, exciting and strangely familiar… After losing everything once already, can Brooke risk her damaged heart again?